NDP bids to usher in era of civility in Parliament

OTTAWA — Canada's new official Opposition is vowing to restore civility in the House of Commons and the NDP's biggest rabble rouser has even promised to lead the charge.

Moments after leader Jack Layton publicly addressed his caucus for the first time since a record 103 New Democrats were elected, self-proclaimed "loudmouth" Pat Martin pulled out a set of colourful buttons bearing the words "Opto Civilitas."

"I choose civility. That's the new me," he proclaimed.

He apparently made 300 of them in various party colours. There's even one for Green Party leader Elizabeth May. He plans to hand them out when Parliament resumes June 2.

Martin, who has never been one to temper his tone — he's referred to asbestos producers as "corporate serial killers" and once hurled a pencil across a committee room table in frustration — said that while he plans to change his ways, he's the "wrong guy" to be mentoring the many young and inexperienced New Democrats recently elected.

"It's probably limiting to their careers to follow in my footsteps," he quipped — moments before demonstrating why he would likely fail as a role model.

Pulling out a blue Tory button, he mused about the recent cabinet shuffle, noting he "never heard the word stability" and the name of newly-minted Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird — another politician with a reputation for aggression in Parliament — "used in the same sentence."

He went on to admonish Josee Verner for collecting a $116,000 severance package after failing to win back her Quebec seat, while accepting a Senate post worth more than $132,000 a year.

"It's a disgrace," he said.

Despite Martin's antics, the longtime fourth party wants to be viewed as a credible government-in-waiting and restoring respect and decorum to the House of Commons is one way it hopes to achieve that.

Layton made that clear in a speech Tuesday kicking off two days of caucus meetings.

"We are here because Canadians, from one ocean to the other, gave us an important mandate," he told his enthusiastic new team gathered on Parliament Hill. "They said they've had enough of the old debates and the old way of doing politics."

Layton vowed to not just "hold the Conservatives to account," but to do so while "working together" with fellow parliamentarians.

He later noted that the "heckling" that's become commonplace during question period over the course of several minority governments needs to stop and that it's time for "respectful discussions" that don't drive school groups out the door in shame.

Layton dodged questions about whether building his party's credibility will also involve running a tighter ship in which members, including many of the new ones who've thus far been shielded from the spotlight, aren't as free to speak their mind.

That said, veteran New Democrat Peter Stoffer noted there will no doubt be some obvious changes in the way the party manages its message as the "microscope" will be bigger than ever.

"Whatever policies that we put forward will have to be fiscally responsible, more accountable," he said.

"(With) the wide diversity of our caucus, we now have an opportunity to hear from so many different voices and to really develop sound policies for the future and say to Canadians, we are a government-in-waiting."

With a larger caucus that includes 103 members — the party had just 37 before the writ dropped — there will also be a need for more discipline, Stoffer said.